Clock operated switch



NQVO 13 1951 GAYNQR CLOCK OPERATED SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 1, 1.948

INVENTOR. E WIN E EAYNUE ATTORNEY NGVu f E G, GAYNQR CLOCK OPERATED SWITCH Filed Dec. 1, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDWIN E, EAYNDR BY Nam 33 1951 E. G. GAYNOR CLOCK OPERATED SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 1, 1948 IN V EN TOR.

DWIN wi imn mm in" E. G. GAYNOR CLOCK OPERATED SWITCH Nov. 13, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 1, 1948 INVENTOR. EDWIN 5'. EAYNDR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,575,215 7 oLooK OPERATED SWITCH Edwin G. Gaynor, Bridgeport, Conn.

Application December 1, 1948, Serial No. 62,870

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in control means and to a special construction of switch constituting a part of said control means.

The control means of the invention is herein specifically disclosed as a defroster or defrosting device for electric refrigerators although as the description proceeds and the invention is better understood, it will become clear that the means of the invention is applicable in other connections and that the switch of the invention is capable of wide application. It is therefore to be understood that the present disclosure in terms of a defroster or defrosting device for electric refrigerators is for the purpose of illustrating the construction and operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention and is not to be considered as limiting.

An object of the invention is to provide a control means for electric circuits and which control means includes a clock operated switch providing for opening and closing an electric circuit at predetermined times and for the maintaining of a circuit open ,or closed for a predetermined time interval.

Another object is to provide a control means of the character outlined and specifically comprising a defroster or defrosting device adapted to be readily mounted in or on a refrigerator as a part thereof and comprising means for automatically providing a defrosting period for the refrigerator and including a manual adjustment whereby the duration of such defrosting period may be readily changed, such means of adjustment also providing for a manual adjustment rendering the defrosting device or defroster inoperative for defrosting purposes, all without making any adjustment in the switch whereby on manual manipulation of said adjustable part to again have the defroster operative following an adjustment to make it inoperative, the defroster or defrosting device proceeds to operate as though no adjustment had ever been made.

Another object is to provide a defroster or defrosting device as indicated and which is of simple construction, easily incorporated in an electric refrigerator and involving but a minimum of parts, none of which are likely to get out of order and none of which require change or adjustment or any tampering on the part of the householder.

Another object is to provide for use in a control means of the character indicated in the foregoing objects, and also for general use, an electric switch including means whereby a circuit is 24 Claims. (01-. 20038) switch housing;

quickly and surely made and is slowly and surely broken.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and they scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view showing an upper portion of a refrigerator and having the control means of the invention incorporated therein in the form of a defroster or defrosting device;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of said defroster or' defrosting device and closely adjacent surrounding portions of the refrigerator;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the defroster showing the manner of mounting the same in a'wall of the refrigerator, as the refrigerator door, and with the face portions of the defroster omitted whereby the inner structure is shown;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but of the defroster alone and with the parts in an advanced open circuit position; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the defroster of Fig. 4; d

Fig. '6 is a side or edge elevational view on a larger scale, of the switch employed and the means for adjusting the switch;

Fig. '7 is a top plan view of the switch, the pointer or indicator of Fig. 6 being omitted;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the switch of Fig. '7;

" Fig. 9 is a rear elevational view of said switch: r Fig. 10 is an end elevational view looking from the lower end of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view through the switch, the view being taken along the plane of the line H-ll of Fig. 8, the switch being in circuit closing position;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but with the switch in open circuit position;

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken along the plane of the line 13-43 of Fig. 8;

Fig. l l is an isometric view showing various parts of the switch disassembled;

Fig. 15 is a front elevational view of one end portion, specifically the upper end portion, of the Fig. 16 is a detail front elevational view showing the inner or lower portion of the switch as the same is about to be opened by a switch operating means or cam operated by a timer device;

Fig. 17 is a similar view but with said operating means or cam advanced and maintaining the switch open;

Fig. 18 is a similar view but with the operating means or cam further advanced and nearly to the position permitting of very quick or rapid and almost instantaneous closing of the switch; and

Fig. 19 is a similar view but with the operating means or cam slightly advanced from the position of Fig. 18, the switch being closed.

Referring in detail to the drawing, at I is .1 erally indicated a portion of an electric refrigerator in the door H of which is mounted my de= froster or defrosting device, generally designated [2. The defroster 12 comprises essentially a timing mechanism generally designated I3 and a switch generally designated 14. The timing mechanism 13, as shown, comprises a pair of spacjd front and rear frame plates 15 and I6 rigidly secured together and held in spaces relation in any suitable mariner, as by pins or posts ll, which pins or posts projecting forwardly of the frame plate l provide mounts for a ring or annu us [8 on which a Suitable dial [9 may be mounted.

Dial 1 9 in Fig. 2 is shown as surrounded by a bzel ring or the like 20 protecting the edges of the dial and also providing a means of neat and finished appearance for closing anc enin'g 2| in the door I l and which opennig the present defroster is mounted. For the mounting 'of the demeter, the front name plate I5 is shown as royidd with a pair of diametrically opposite ears 22 overlying lugs 23 integral with the door H and projecting into the opening '2 I. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the cars 22 are secured to the lugs 23 and in the drawings suchsecurm-g means is indicated ascoinpr'isihg bolts 24.

The lower portion of the space between the plates and I6 preferab y closed as T93 means of gauge portions or wane '25 showh as integral with tlirear mate l6 Fig. 5. To the rear side of the plate iii a suitable source of power, as a snail electric motor 26, preferably a synchronous sitter, is clamped. as by means of a ro'ssipiece 21 through projecting ends of which passclam'ping Bolts 28 having rclal'hpihghllt s 2 9 threaded thereon. Through any or the customary means'tlie motor Iii drives a shaft 311 prey-eating through both plates ['6 and [5. on the oute end portion of this shaft in any or the usual way, is mounted a clock second hand 3 I. Also, on the shaft 30 are hubs 3'2 and 33 mounting respeetivei a minute h'ai rd 34 and an hour hand 35, all of this structure comprising portions of anyor the usual clock mec anism. Thegearing "for driving these var- 1611's hubs has been omitted s nce it preferably is part of a standard clock'meehanisih.

, Also fnofintd for turning movement about the sha'ft3ll is a twenty four hour tubular shaft or hub 36 mounting a cam generally designated 31. The construction and purpose of this cam will later be given in detail but here it is noted that according to the present invention this cam constitutes a switch operating 'ineans {and is employed for operating the switch 14 previously mentioned. As the cam 31 is fixed on the twentyfourhour shaft or hub 36, it will be clear that sunbeam malies one complete revolution each twenty' foiir lioiirs.

Rigid with the hub 36 is a relatifiel'y large gear I l 4 l 38 which meshes with a relatively small diameter gear 39 rigid with a shaft 40 extending between the plates I5 and it. The gears 38 and 39 are located at the forward side of the plate l5. Fixed on the shaft 40 in a location between the plates i5 and I6 is a relatively large diameter gear 4| meshing with a relatively small diameter gear 42 on a jackshaft 43 also mounted by the plates 15 and it. This gear 42 meshes with a small diameter gear 44 fast to a shaft 45 mounted by the plates [5 and I6 and extending a substantial distance forwardly of the plate It. A knurled nut 45 is herein disclosed as threaded onto the outer end of the shaft '45 and this nut constitutes a finger piece for the turning of the shaft 45 which, through the reduction gearing 44, 42, 4|, 39 and 38 may operate to set or reset the clock hands 34 and 35 and to also reset the cam 3'! whereby the clock hands and cam are maintained in a predetermined relation whenever resetting of the clock has become necessary and has been accomplished.

For resetting purposes, the finger piece 46 could be integral with the shaft 45, but in the present invention that shaft serves a second purpose and the finger piece 48' is made removable to permit of the mounting of other means, to be described, on said shaft. Such other means comprises the switch M as well as an indicator, as will more fully appear.

The cam 3! being fast with the twenty-four hour hub 33 it will be understood that this cam, when the clockwork mechanism is functioning, will be given one complete revolution about the shaft in twenty-four hours. When the present meahs is assembled in the door H the cam 3! is wholly concealed, being rearwardly of the dial it. In order that a user may be able to de-'- termine the location of the cam, a sight or peep hole 41 is provided in the upper portion of the dial.

Cain 31, in addition to a substantially annular portion 48 which is shown as of a diameter slightly greater than that of the gear 38, ineludes a radially extending arm 49 concavely curved on its leading edge 50 and convexl'y curved on its trailin edge 5|. For the present purpose, the arm 49 is of a configuration such that it changes in width as it approaches its outer edge, this change in width together with the location of the s'it'ritch I4 determining the duration of any period during which the cam is actively cooperatihg with the switch M. The leading and trail ing edges of the cam arm 49 are cut square providing sharp corners. The purpose of this construction will later appear.

The cam '31, and particularly the cam arm 49, comprises a part of the s "itch l4, namely, the operating means of said switch. Construction of the jswiteh hi in all its details is fully illustrated in Figs. 6-115. Such switch comprises an elongated housing '52 of insulating material, such housing having a recess 53 opening through its inner or rear side toward "its upper end. The housing also includes a forward wall comprising a thickened mid portion 5'4 and beyond the latter a thinner wall portion 55 toward its lower end having a slot or groove 56 therethrough. Additionally, the housing 52 includes rearwardly extending side Wall portions 57 projecting generally from its inner side and shown as starting approximatelymidway the length of the housing in inclines '58.

Within the housing 52 and lying against the forward-side of the thickened wall portion 54' a spring cohtact arm 59 at one end on its rear side carrying a contact button 60. The opposite end portion of this arm 59 extends into and substantially across the socket or recess 53 and therein has an exposed end portion El of a lead 62 soldered or otherwise secured thereto. Over the arm 59, but stopping short of the contact button 60, is an insulatin strip 63 and disposed on the rear side of such strip'is a second spring contact arm 64 offset intermediate its ends as at B5 and on its forward side towards one end carrying a contact button 86 adapted for circuit closing engagement with the contact button 50.

Arm 84 is a spring arm adapted for flexing whereby contact button 66 comprises a movable circuit controlling contact. Contact arm 54 extends beyond the button 66 and on its extending portion at the same side as said button, has a piece of insulating material 87 secured thereto. The manner in which this insulating material is secured to the end portion of the arm is not particularly material but in the drawing the same is shown as secured in place by means of a lug 98 lanced and pressed from the stock of the arm and passed through the insulator 61 and clinched over at the forward side of the latter.

The contact button bearing end portions of the arms 59 and -64 are located between the side walls 5'l of the housing and over the exposed inner or rearward side of the arm 64 there is disposed an insulator 69 also offset intermediate its ends as at In and beyond such oifset continued and providing a tongue-like portion II extending substantially to a lower end wall portion I2 of the housing.

It is an upper ear-like portion I3 of the arm 59 which extends substantially across the socket 53 above referred to and the insulator 63 stops short of such ear-like portion I3 whereby the conductor 62 passes over the upper end of the insulator 63 and through a notch I4 of the arm 59 to have its inner or forward end 5i soldered or otherwise secured in electrical engagement with the inner or forward side of the ear I3 of arm 59.

When locating the arm 59, a curved edge por tion 15 is disposed against the curved inner side I6 of a slight rib-like wall portion 'I'I comprising an integral part of the molded insulating housing 52. The other edge I8 of the arm 59 is located against the inner edge 79 of a raised or side wall portion 80 of said housing while the portion 3| of the arm below its curve i5 lies against the inner edge 82 of a side wall portion 83 of the housing. It is noted that the insulating strip 53 also has curved and straight edge portions corresponding with those described of the conductor strip 59 and these corresponding portions of the insulator strip engage the corresponding wall portions of the housing 52.

To provide clearance for the lead or conductor 62, the upper end of the contact strip 64 is cut away or notched as at 84. Additionally, the upper end of this strip includes an ear-like portion 85 extending over a socket or recess 36 formed in the molded body 52 and partly separated from the socket or recess 53 by the wall ll. The insulator 67 has an ear 8?, similar to the ear 85 of conductor 64, and also has a notch 88. A notch 89 in the insulator E9 also provides passage for the lead or wire 52, as in the assembly notch 89 aligns with the notch l4 of the contact arm 59.

A second lead or wire at is carried in through the notch 38 of the insulator 59 and a notch 9| in the upper end of the arm 64 and has its inner or forward end soldered or otherwise made electrigally fast with the inner or forward side of ear B5.

Arm 59 and insulator 63 fill the shallow space, the edges or sides of which are defined by the walls I1, and 83 and thus the upper portion of the con tact arm 69 passes laterally across the upper or rear edge of wall TI and the curved outer side 92 of its ear 85 may bear against the curved surface 93 of wall 94. Similarly, the outer edge 95 of the ear 8'! may engage this wall 94. In the assembly, projections 96, 97 and 98 on the arms 59 and 64 and the insulating strip 69, respectively, project in between the leads or conductors 62 and maintaining the latter in the desired spaced relation.

After the parts described have been assembled, as described, a spherical element 99 is dropped into the slot 57 to rest on the insulator 61. This element 99 is a steel ball bearing although any other spherical element of incompressible material may be employed. After the element 99 is in place, a cover plate I59 (Fig. 14) of steel or the like is disposed against the forward side of the housing 52 and the cover plate may be located by engaging its upper edge portion IOI with the inner edge I92 of a raised wall portion I93 (see Figs. 7 and 8) comprising an integral part of the housing 52. Additionally, a D-shaped opening I54 in the closure plate Iflii is located in alignment with an opening or hole I95 in a laterally projecting ear-like portion I 56 of the housing. Then a rear closure member I9! (Fig. 14) is disposed against the rear side of the housing with an opening I98 through an ear-like portion I99 thereof also in alignment with the opening I95. This locates a body portion I I I] of the rear closure I91 across the upper portion of the insulator 69.

In addition to said body portion I I9, the member I91 includes a strip-like portion I I I outwardly offset intermediate its ends as at I I2. This striplike portion then overlies the offset In and the tongue-like end portion H of the insulator 69 and together these parts extend between the walls 51 of the housing and the metal member IU 'I closes the rear side of the housing. Extending from the body IIll of the member I9? is a second arm I I3 carrying an arcuate toe-like portion I I4, the purpose of which will appear.

The various contacts and the cover plates or members I09 and I5! together with the element 99 being assembled in or on the body 52, the parts are secured in assembled relation. To accomplish this, a tubular shaft I I5 has a reduced end portion Ila passed through aligned holes I04, I95 and I99. A fiat II'I on the shaft II5 just above the reduced end portion II6 thereof enters the D-shaped opening EM so as to key the shaft I'I5 to the front plate Hit. The reduced portion II6 of the shaft having been passed through opening H33 of the member Ifl'l, such end portion is riveted or spun over as at IIB, the hole I08 being countersunk or flared. Obviously, as this riveting or spinning operation takes place, the parts will be drawn tightly together and secured in that condition.

Towards its outer end tubular shaft H5 is provided with a second flat II9 whereby the outer end of said shaft is also D-shaped and such D- shaped end portion of the shaft is inserted into the D-shaped opening in the body portion I25 of a pointer or indicator device provided with a radially extending pointed arm IZI.

To complete the defrosting device, the finger piece 46 is removed from the shaft 45 of the timing device, which shaft is beyond the ring I8, and then the switch assembly is mounted on this shaft 45 by passing the tubular shaft II5 thereover. At: this time, thepointer I2! will benormal.

or nearly normal to the position in which it is shown in Figs. 2 and 4 whereby the switch body or the body of the switch I4 may pass beyond the outer edge of the ring I8. Then the switch is turned with the shaft 45 as a pivot point to locate the switch rearwardly or at the inner side of the ring I8, a portion of the frame plate I.I.5 being cut away as suggested by the arcuate line I22 in Fig. 3 to permit of this mounting of the. switch. Thereafter, the finger piece 43 is threaded back onto the shaft 45 and the wires or leads 62 and 90 suitably connected in series in the .circuit of the refrigerator or compressor motor.

When mounting the switch, the arcuate footlike portion H t of the rear closure member I? is disposed under a spring clip 223 suitably secured to the irameplate I of the timing device. In the drawings, this clip is shown as secured by rivet I24. The spring clip bearing on the arm of toe-like portion H4 provides a friction and this toe-like portion being rigid with the remainingportions of the switch, it will be clear that should the switch be adjusted about the shaft 45 the frictional engagement of the toe-like por tion with the clip I23, and with the frame plate I5 against which said toe portion is pressed by said spring clip, will serve to retain the switch in the position to which it may be adjusted about said shaft 45.

The dial 2I, in addition to carrying clock numerals as clearly shown in Fig. 2 is also preferably provided with graduations I25 to be read in connection with the pointer arm I2 I. The beginning and end of these graduations may be indicated by the words on and off as suggested in the drawing. In this connection it is noted that the indicator I20 having a D-opening fitting a D- shaped portion of the shaft H5, these parts are incapable of relative turning movement and the front closure plate I05 of the switch being rigid with the switch housing and having a D-shaped opening receiving a D-shaped portion of the shaft II5, turning movement of this shaft relative to the switch body is not possible. Therefore, it will be understood that on manual shifting of the indicator I20 to carry its pointer across the graduations I25, the hollow shaft H5 is turned on the shaft 45 of the resetting mechanism as a center and that the entire switch I4 is rocked about this same center.

Before taking up the question of the operation of the present device, it is noted with particular reference to Figs. 6, 10, 11 and 12 that the metal front cover plate I05 of the switch extends for the length of the body 52 of the switch and thus has its lower end portion extending across the outer side of the slot 55 in the housing wall 55. This cover plate we is of relatively rigid stock and is further strengthened by an inwardly pressed transversely eXtending bead I28 shown as located slightly above the slot 55. Further, with reference to Figs. 11 and 12, it will be noted that due to the thickened intermediate portion 5d of the housing wall, the lower end portion of the closure plate I00 is spaced from the forward side of the relatively thin wall portion 55 of the insulating housing. Thus a space i2! is provided between the plate I00 and the forward face of the housing wall 55 and the bead I26 of the plate .extends slightly into this space and the incompressible ball or spherical element 99 also extends into this space. The relative proportion f th parts are such that the plate I00 prevents the ball or spherical element 99 from falling forwardly out of the slot.

In the use of the present control means, the same is mounted as best shown in Fig. 3 and they leads G2 and are connected in the compressor motor circuit whereby the switch I4 controls said circuit. Cam 31 is mounted in the desired definite relation to the clock hands 36 and 35. For exam-. ple, the cam is so mounted that when the timing mechanism indicates midnight, the cam arm 49 will have entered the space I21 in the switch to a point beyond the position indicated in Fig. 16 and will have pushed the ball or incompressible element 90 to the end of the slot 56 opposite that in which the ball is located in Fig. 16 and it will have. entered slightly over the top of the ball forcing the same inwardly so as to separate the contact buttons 60 and 66 as in Fig. 12 whereby the compressor motor circuit will be opened.

As the cam arm 49 progresses through the. space I21, such arm is riding over the ball or incompressible element 99 maintaining it in the position of Fig, 12 and maintaining the switch open. As this condition prevails the compressor motor remains deenergized so the compressor does not operate and the cooling mechanism in the refrigerator is not functioning and therefore the refrigerator defrosts. It will be understood that the cam arm 49 makes but one complete revolution in twenty-four hours, the arm being an integral part of the cam 37, and thus the move.- ment of this cam arm through the space I2? is at a very low rate of speed and may take two or three hours thus providing an adequate defrosting period. Also, since this arm moves slowly, it will be apparent that when it has forced the element 99 from the position of Fig. 16 to the position of Fig. 17, the leading edge 58 of the cam arm will very slowly, acting on the curved surface of the element, force the same inwardly from the position of Fig. 11 to the position of Fig. 12 very gradually separating the contact buttons 60 and 65. This makes a slow opening switch.

However, when the trailing edge 5! of the cam approaches the position of Fig. 18 the switch is still open but instantly such edge of the cam arm moves past an axial center of the ball or element 99, the latter snaps from the position of Fig. 18 to that of Fig. 19, the switch buttons 50 and 66 almost instantly close providing a very quick or fast closing switch. The mentioned snap action results from the fact that the contact arm 64 is of spring metal so there is a tension on the ball or element 99 and instantly its high point is passed by the trailing edge 5! of the cam arm, an arcuate portion of the ball or a descending surface of the ball com-es under the trailing edge of the cam arm and the ball is snapped to the position of Fig. 19 resulting in substantially instantaneous closing of the switch.

While the present control means is generally set up to give a predetermined defrosting period, this period may be varied by the householder and, in fact, the defroster may be easily put out of operation by the householder. The precise time at which the cam arm serves to open the switch is controlled by the position of the switch. Such portion is adjustable by the operator grasping the indicator means I20 and turning it about the shaft 45 as a pivot. As heretofore explained, the switch is fixed with respect to the tubular shaft H5 and the indicator device I20 is likewise fixed on said shaft and therefore on turning of the indicator the switch is shifted.

If the switch is adjusted to the extremedotted line position of Fig. 3 it will be seen that the cam arm 49 will not touch the switch at all and therefore the device will not function to open the compressor motor circuit and there will be no defrosting of the refrigerator. However, adjusting of the indicator and thus the switch from the dotted line position of the swtich in Fig. 3 in a counterclockwise direction brings the switch inwardly and into the path of movement of the cam arm 49. If the adjusted position of the switch is such that only the extreme outer portion of the leading edge of the cam arm enters the switch space I27, the defrosting period will be of short duration.

When the switch is in a position where an inner portion of this cam arm passes through the space I27, the defrosting period is of greater duration. Thus, as the indicator I20 is moved toward the word off in Fig. 2, the defrosting period is less and less and will be entirely eliminated if the indicator is moved to the word off or beyond the same. Contrariwise, when the indicator is moved in a clockwise direction and toward the word on in Fig. 2, the defrosting period results and the defrosting period will be of greater length depending on how much toward the word on the indicator is shifted. In this connection it is to be borne in mind that shifting of the indicator also results in a shifting of the switch.

With respect to the switch itself, it is noted that the same is disclosed as a normally closed switch and that the cam arm 49 comprises an operating means and serves to open the switch. However, it will be appreciated that if the positions of the switch arms or contact arms 59 and 64 are reversed the switch could be a normally open switch and that the forcing of the ball or element 99 inwardly will result in the forcing of the arm 64 and particularly its outer end portion in a direction to carry its contact button 66 into engagement with the contact button 60 of the arm 59. Under such circumstances we would have a normally open switch and the cam arm would control the period during which the switch is closed and thus the position and physical size of the cam arm would determine the operating period for the compressor motor of the refrigerator or the period during which the switch I 4 was closed rather than control the circuit open position of the switch and the time during which the defrosting means is functioning.

From a consideration of the foregoing description in connection with the drawings it will be understood that the opening 56 need not be in the form of a slot. However, this opening must, in the direction of movement of the arm or operating means 49, be of a diameter greater than that of the incompressible ball or sphere 99 whereby as the trailing edge of such arm or operating means moves over the high side or point of the ball the latter will, being urged outwardly by the spring contact arm or being normally resiliently or yieldingly held in projected position, pop or snap? from under the arm or operating means and move toward an opposite edge of the opening and to projected position. The arrangement and construction of the parts including the opening 56, the spring contact arm 64 and its insulation 61 engaged by the ball 99, all constitute means whereby as the ball is depressed the contact buttons 60 and 65 have their normal relation changed. In this connection it is noted that constructions will readily suggest themselves in which the opening 56 while in a wall of the housing or other part need not pass entirely through such wall.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a control means, a timing device, a cam, a drive whereby said cam is given complete revolutions by said timing device, said cam including a radially extending arm having a leadin edge and a trailing edge and of decreasing width toward its outer end, a switch, means mounting said switch in the path of movement of the arm of said cam as the latter is revolved, said switch including a pair of contacts of which one is a movable circuit controlling contact, movable means on said switch and engageable and shiftable by the leading edge of said cam arm for shifting said circuit controlling contact relative to the other of said contacts, said mean and arm then located for movement of the arm onto the means with a side portion of the arm between its leading and trailing edges engaging said means and maintaining said circuit controlling contact in its shifted position until said shaft carries said cam to a position shifting the trailing edge of cam arm out of engagement with said last mentioned means, and said switch mounted for movement to different positions radially of the cam and in the path of movement of said cam arm whereby the movable means on the switch and engageable by the cam arm for shifting said circuit contact relative to the other of said contacts is engageable by a selected portion of the cam arm measured along the length thereof whereby the period durin which the cam arm is in engagement with said movable means and maintaining said circuit controlling contact in its shifted position is variable.

2. In a control means, a timing device, a cam, a drive whereby said cam is given complete revolutions by said timing device, said cam including a radially extending arm having a leading edge and a trailing edge and of decreasing width toward its outer end, a switch, means mounting said switch in the path of movement of the arm of said cam as the latter is revolved, said switch including a pair of contacts of which one is a movable circuit controlling contact, movable means on said switch and engageable and shiftable by the leading edge of said cam arm for shifting said circuit controlling contact relative to the other of said contacts, said means and arm then located for movement of the arm onto the means with a side portion of the arm between its leading and trailing edges engaging said means and maintaining said circuit controlling contact in its shifted position until said shaft carries said cam to a position shifting the trailing edge of cam arm out of engagement with said last mentioned means, said switch mounted for movement to different positions radially of the cam and in the path of movement of said cam arm whereby th movable means on the switch and engageable by the cam arm for shifting said circuit controlling contact relative to the other of said contacts is engageable by a selected portion of the cam arm measured along the length thereof whereby the period during which the cam arm is in engagement with said movable means and maintaining said circuit controlling contact in its shifted position is variable, and friction means for yieldingly securing said switch in any adjusted position.

3. In a control means, a timing device, a, cam, means whereby said cam is given a complete revolution about a fixed axis by said timing device,

and-5,215

a "switch, a pivot radially of and parallel with said axis and mounting said switch for swinging movement to and from a position inthe path of movement of said cam, means for frictionally maintaining said switch in the position to which contact in its shifted position while' said last mentioned means is engaged by said cam and until said 'camin the course of its revolution is carried out of engagement with said last mentioned means. 1

4. In a control means, a timing device including a motor'driven shaft, a hollow twenty-four hour shaft turnable on saidmotor driven shaft,

means for mounting clock hands to be driven from said motor driven shaft, all of said means concentric, a hand resetting shaft mounted on said timing device, in eccentric relation to said motor driven shaft and gearing whereby on turning of said resetting shaft .said time indicating hands may be adjusted and said twenty-four hour shaft is adjusted therewith,'a-cam onsaid' twentyfour hour shaft to rotate therewith, a switch, said switch mounted on said resetting shaft for turnin movement about the same to and from a position in the path of movement of said cam by said twenty-four hour shaft, said switch hav- "ing a passage therethrough, said cam including a portion to enter and pass through said passage when said switch is in an inner position, and said .switch'including means whereby during at least a portion of the time when said cam portion is 'moving'through said passage the condition of said switch "is changed, to wit, the switch is changed from-open circuit condition to closed circuit con- ;dition or from closed circuit condition to open :circuit condition.

5. In a control means, a 'timing device, a shaft, a cam on said shaft, means whereby said cam is given a complete revolution by said timing device,

cam, means manually operable for moving said switch between said positions, said switch ineluding a pair of contacts of which one is a movable circuit controlling contact, and means on said switch and engageable by said cam for shifting said movable circuit controlling contact relative to the other of said contacts and maintaining said movable circuit controlling contact in its shifted position while said last means is engaged'by said cam and untilsaid cam as it is revolved is carried out of engagement with said last means.

6. In :a control means, atiming-device, a shaft,

:a cam on said shaft, means whereby said cam is given'a completerevolutionby said timing device,

a pivot eccentric with respect to said shaft, a switch mounted 'on-said pivot for movement about the same from an:outer position :beyond thepath of movement of said cam to an inner position in the path of movement of said cam, a manual "means for moving said switch between said positions, said switchhaving a passage therethrough,

Cir

said cam including a portion to enter and pass through said passage when said switch is in an inner position, and said switch including means whereby during at least a portion of, the time when said cam portion .is moving through said passage the condition of said switch is changed, to wit, the switch is changed from an open circuit condition to closed circuit condition or from closed circuit condition to open circuit condition.

7. In a control means, a timing device, a shaft, a cam on said shaft, means whereby said cam is given a complete revolution by saidtimingfldevice, a pivot eccentric with respect to said shaft a switch mounted on said pivot for movement about the same from an .outer position beyond the path of movement of said cam to 'an inner position .in the path of movement of said cam, a manual means for moving said switch between said positions, said switch including a pair of contactsof which one is a movable circuit controlling contact, means on said switch and engageable by said cam for shifting said movable circuit con means, and a spring finger on said timing device,

an arcuate toe-like portion rigid with said switch and in engagement with said spring finger whereby said spring finger frictionally maintains said switch in its positions of adjustment'about said pivot.

8. In a control means, a timing device, a shaft,

a cam on said shaft,'mean s whereby said cam is given a complete revolution by said timing device, a pivot eccentric with respect to said shaft, a switch mounted on said pivot for movement about the same from an outer position beyond the path of movement of said cam to an inner position in the path of movement of said cam, a manual means for moving said switch between said positions, said manual comprising a tubular shaft rigid with said switch, said tubular shaft disposed on and turnable about said pivot, an indicator and finger piece rigid with said tubular shaft for use in turning the same, said timing device including a scalein connection with which said finger piece and indicator are readable to indicate the location of said switch with respect to the path of movement of said cam, said switch including a pair of contacts of which one is a movable circuit controlling contact, and means on said switch and engageable by said cam for shifting said movable circuit controlling contact relative to the other of said contacts and main- "taining said movable circuit controlling contact in its shifted position while said last means is engaged by said cam and until'said cam is moved out of engagement with said last means.

9. In a control means, a timing device including a motor driven shaft, a hollow twenty-four hour shaft turnable on said motor driven shaft,

said cam by said twenty-four hour shaft, said switch having a passage therethrough, a radially extending arm rigid with said cam and adapted to move through said passage, said switch including a pair of contacts of which one is a movable circuit controlling contact, means on said switch and normally projecting into said passage and engageable by said cam arm as the latter moves through the passage for shifting said movable circuit controlling contact relative to the other of said contacts and maintaining said movable circuit controlling contact in its shifted position while said last mentioned means is engaged by said cam arm and until said shaft moves said cam to carry its arm out of engagement with said last mentioned means, and said cam arm of decreasing width from its outer end whereby the period of time during which said movable circuit controlling contact is maintained in shifted position is determined by the portion of the cam arm measured along the length of the latter engaging said last mentioned means and therefore by the position of adjustment of said switch about said pivot.

, 10. In a switch operating means, a part having an opening therein, switch means inwardly of said opening, an incompressible ball resiliently held in a position projecting from a side of said opening, rigid means having a leading and a trailing edge, said rigid means movable across said side of said opening in a fixed plane to have its leading edge engage and move said ball across the opening to a position against one edge of the opening and to then on continued movementin the same direction and in the same plane force the ball inwardly of said opening to operate said switch means and move over said ball, and said opening of greater diameter than said ball whereby on continued movement of the rigid means as the trailing edge of said rigid means moves across the high point of said ball the latter snaps from under said means and moves back across said opening in a direction away from said one edge thereof and from under said rigid means and is resiliently returned to its projecting position,

11. In a switch operating means, a part having an opening therein, an incompressible ball re siliently held in a position projecting from a side of said opening, means movable across said side of said opening said means having a leading edge to engage and press said ball inwardly to a switch operating position said means having a surface following said leading edge to move over said inwardly pressed ball to retain the ball, in such position as said means continues to move in the same direction, said means having a trailing edge following said surface, and said ball of less diameter than said opening whereby as the trailing edge of said means moves across the high point of said ball the latter snaps from under said means and across said opening in a direction away from the trailing edge of said means and is resiliently returned to its projecting position releasing said switch.

12. In a switch, a body of insulating material including a stepped forward wall and rearwardly extending side walls, a cover means disposed against the high portion of said forward wall and extending in spaced relation with the low portion thereof whereby a passage is provided between the low portion of said forward wall and the extending portion of said cover, a contact arm disposed against the rear side of said forward wall and extending longitudinally of said body, an insulator on the rear side of a portion of said arm,

a second contact arm on the rear side of said insulator and extending substantially parallel with said first contact arm, said contact arms having their lower portions between the side walls of said housing, contacts on said contact arms, at least one of said arms of spring material whereby said contacts have a normal relation from which the contact of the spring arm may be moved on flexing of the spring arm and to which the contact of the spring arm will be returned on release of the latter, an insulator over said second contact arm, a metal closure over said insulator and closing the rear side of said housing, means passing through said covers and body and rigidly securing them together with said contact arms in place within said body, and means projecting through the lower portion of said forward wall and into the space between such portion and the extending portion of the front cover and adapted on being pressed inwardly of said body to flex said resilient contact arm and move its contact from normal relation with the other contact.

13. In a switch, a body of insulating material including a stepped forward wall and rearwardly extending side walls, a cover means disposed against the high portion of said forward wall and extending in spaced relation with the low portion thereof whereby a passage is provided between the low portion of said forward wall and the extending portion of said cover, a contact arm disposed against the rear side of said forward wall and extending longitudinally of said body, an insulator on the rear side of a portion of said arm, a second contact arm on the rear side of said insulator and extending substantially parallel with said first contact arm, said contact arms having their lower portions between the side walls of said housing, contacts on said contact arms, at least one of said arms of spring material whereby said contacts have a normal relation from which the contact of the spring arm may be moved on flexing of the spring arm and to which the contact of the spring arm will be returned on release of the latter, an insulator over said second contact arm, a metal closure over said insulator and closing the rear side of said housing, means passing through said covers and body and rigidly securing them together with said contact arms in place within said body, means projecting through the lower portion of said forward wall and into the space between such portion and the extending portion of the front cover and adapted on being pressed inwardly of said body to flex said resilient contact arm and move its contact from normal relation with the other contact, said means comprising an incompressible spherical element, and said lower portion of said forward wall having an opening therethrough in which said element is located.

14. The switch as in claim 13 wherein said opening is of greater diameter than said element whereby on said element being forced to one extreme side of said opening and pressed inwardly to move said spring contact arm by means engaging a side of the element and finally slowly depressing it to pass over the element a slow opening switch is provided and on said means passing beyond the high point of said ele ment the latter will be snapped in the opposite direction in said opening to permit of a substantially instantaneous return of said spring arm whereby a fast closing switch is provided.

15. In a switch including a pair of contacts having a normal relation of which one contact is a movable circuit controlling contact, an opsaid sphere while maintaining the same depressed, and said opening of greater diameter than said sphere whereby as said means moves completely across the axis of said sphere the latter snaps away from said means and in a direction across said opening from the trailing edge of said means and is free to move outwardly in the portion of the opening rearwardly of the trailing edge of said means to its resiliently held position in the opening and said movable circuit controlling contact is free to move back to its normal relation with the other contact of the pair.

16. In a switch, a housing, a pair of contacts in said housing and of which one contact is a movable circuit controlling contact yieldingly urged into a normal relation with the other thereof, said housing having an opening through a wall thereof, an incompressible sphere in said opening and of a diameter greater than the thickness of said wall, said sphere adapted when pressed inwardly through said opening to move said movable circuit controlling contact from its normal relation with said other contact, an operating means movable across said wall of the housing in a fixed plane and having a leading edge and a trailing edge, said operating means movable across said wall in a fixed plane to engage said sphere outwardly of its center by' the leading edge'of said operating means and press said sphere inwardly through said wall and shift said yieldingly urged contact to change the relation of said contacts, and said opening of a greater diameter than said sphere whereby as the leading edge of said operating means engages a side of said sphere outwardly of the center thereof the latter is moved across said opening and when further movement in such direction is impossible is on continued movement of said operating means pressed inwardly in said opening as said operating means continues to move in the same direction until movement of the operating means takes it to a position over and against the outer side of said sphere and as the trailing edge of the operating means moves past the high point of said sphere the latter is snapped back across said opening to a position in the opening rearwardly of the trailing edge of said means and is free to move outwardly releasing the movable circuit controlling contact for return. to its normal relation with said other contact.

17. In a switch, a housing, a pair of contacts in said housing and of which one contact is a movable circuit controlling contact yieldingly urged into a normal relation with the other thereof, said housing having an opening through a wall thereof, an incompressible sphere in said opening and of a diameter greater than the thickness of said wall, said sphere adapted when pressed inwardly through said opening to move said movable circuit controlling contact from its normal relation with said other contact, an operating means movable across said wall of the housing in a fixed plane and having a leading edge and a trailing edge, said operating means movable across said wall in a fixed plane to 'en gage said sphere outwardly of its center by the leading edge of said operating means and press said sphere inwardly through said wall and shift said yieldingly urged contact to change the relation of said contacts, said opening of a greater diameter than said sphere whereby as the leading edge of said operating means engages a side of said sphere outwardly of the center thereof the latter is moved across said opening and when further movement in such direction is impossible is pressed inwardly in said opening as said operating means continues to move in the same direction until movement of the operating means takes it to a position over and against the outer side of said sphere and immediately the trailing edge of the operating means moves past the high point of said sphere the latter is snapped back across said opening from under the operating means and moves outwardly to normal position in said opening releasing the movable circuit controlling contact for return to its normal .relation with said other contact, and means on said switch housing outwardly of said sphere and adapted to be engaged by said operating means and guide it in said fixed plane.

18. In a switch, a housing, a first contact in said housing, a second contact in said housing, a spring arm mounting said second contact and normally maintaining it in predetermined relation with said first contact, said housing including a part having an opening therein in alignment with a portion movable with said spring arm, a ball of incompressible material of less diameter than said opening and located therein and projecting through said part and at the inner side thereof engaging a portion movable with said spring arm, a rotatable cam, timing mechanism, means whereby said timing mechanism imparts a complete revolution to said cam once in twenty-four hours, and said cam located across the outer side of said housing part in a plane to engage said ball at the outer side of its axial center and move the same across said opening and then on continued pressure on the side of the ball slowly press the same inwardly of said housing part to flex said spring arm and move the second contact relative to the first contact and on continued movement in the same plane pass across the outer side of and maintain said ball depressed and said parts in the described relation until as the trailing edge of said means passes the apex of the outer portion of said ball the latter is snapped back across said opening to a portion of the latter rearwardly of the trailing edge of said means and thereby releases said spring arm for return of the second contact to its normal relation to the first contact.

19. In a switch, a housing, a pair of contacts in said housing and means normally yieldingly urging one of said contacts into engagement with the other thereof, an incompressible spherical element, a stationary means having an opening therethrough and said element located in said opening, means whereby as said element is forced in one direction through said opening said one contact is moved from engagement with the other contact of said pair, said element normally projecting slightly beyond the outer surface of said stationary means having said opening therethrough, a shiftable means movable in a fixed plane across the outer side of said stationary 17 means having the opening therethrough in a plane to engage said element at one side of its axial center and force the same against an edge of said opening and then inwardly of said opening to thereby move said one contact out of engagement with the other contact of said pair and to then move onto the outer side of said element and hold it in its inner position to maintain the contacts in such relation until such means moves completely across the high point of said element, said first means resiliently resisting inward movement of said spherical element through said opening and movement of said one contact from the other thereof, and said spherical element of less diameter than said opening whereby as said shiftable means moves against said spherical element the latter is carried across the opening and depressed only on reaching the far side of the opening and as the shiftable means continues its movement and moves onto the outer side of the element as the latter is depressed in said opening and as the trailing edge of said shiftable means passes the high point of the spherical element the latter snaps back across said opening from under said means releasing said one contact to substantially instantaneously return to engagement with the other contact of said pair.

20. In a switch, a housing, a pair of contacts in said housing and of which at least one is spring urged into a normal relation to the other, said housing having an elongated opening in a wall thereof, an incompressible spherical element located in said elongated opening and of a diameter greater than the thickness of said wall whereby to project to each side of said wall, said spherical element adapted to be moved to one end of said elongated opening and thereafter forced inwardly of said wall to move said one contact from its normal relation with the other thereof, a member for so moving said element, and said element thereafter adapted as the trailing edge of said member moves across the high point of the element to rapidly move from under said member to the other extreme of said elongated opening to release said one contact for substantially instantaneous return to normal relation with said other contact.

2'1. In a switch, a housing, a first contact in said housing, a second contact in said housing, shiftable means mounting said second contact and normally maintaining it in predetermined relation with said first contact, said housing including a part having an opening therein in alignment with a portion of said shiftable means, a ball of incompressible material of less diameter than said opening and located therein and engaging a portion of said shiftable means, means movable across the outer side of said housing part in a plane to engage said ball at the outer side of its axial center and move the same across said opening and then on continued pressure on the side of the ball slowly press the same inwardly of said housing part to move said shiftable means and move the second contact relative to the first contact and on continued movement in the same plane pass onto the outer side of and maintain said ball depressed and said parts in the described relation, said ball and opening of such relative diameters in the described direction of movement of the ball across the opening of said means whereby as the trailing edge of said means passes the apex of the outer portion of said ball the latter is snapped back across said opening from under said movable means and said shiftable means is released to return the second con- 18 tact to its normal relation to the first contact, and said movable means movable across the outer side of said housing part comprising an arm having substantially straight leading and trailing edges and a flat inner surface to ride against said ball.

22. In a switch, a pair of contacts of which one contact is a movable circuit controlling contact yieldingly held in normal relation to the other thereof, a depressible means adapted to be depressed to move said movable circuit controlling contact from its normal relation to the other contact, an operating means movable at a predetermined speed in a fixed plane and having a leading and a trailing edge and a fiat surface between said edges, said operating means increasing in width from one end whereby the distance across said flat surface from said leading to said trailing edge varies along the length of said operating means, said operating means as it moves adapted to have its leading edge engage and depress said depressible means to change the relation of said contacts and on further movement in the same direction to pass over said depressible means and engage the latter with the fiat surface of said operating means and as the trailing edge of the latter moves from said depressible means release the latter to permit of said movable circuit controlling contact moving back to normal relation with the other of said contacts, and said switch and operating means adjustable one relative to the other whereby to determine the portion of the flat surface of the operating means which will engage the depressible means on the described movement of the operating means and thereby determine the length of the time interval during which the depressible means will be depressed.

23. In a control means, a timing device including a motor driven shaft, a hollow twentyfour hour shaft turnable on said motor driven shaft, means for mounting clock hands to be driven from said motor driven shaft, all of said means eccentric, a hand resetting shaft mounted on said timing device in eccentric relation to said motor driven shaft and gearing whereby on turning of said resetting shaft said time indicating hands may be adjusted and said twentyfour hour shaft is adjusted therewith, a cam on said twenty-four hour shaft to rotate therewith, a switch, said switch mounted on said resetting shaft for turning movement about the same to and from a position in the path of movement of said cam by said twenty-four hour shaft, said switch including a rigid means yieldingly held in a projecting position, said cam including a side surface portion to ride onto and depress and maintain depressed said means for a predetermined time when the switch is in its inner position, and said switch including means whereby when said rigid means is depressed the condition of said switch is changed, to wit, the switch is changed from open circuit condition to closed circuit condition or from closed circuit condition to open circuit condition.

24. In a switch, a housing, a pair of contacts in said housing and of which at least one is spring urged into a normal relation to the other, said housing having an elongated opening in a wall thereof, an incompressible spherical element located in said elongated opening and normally resiliently held in position projecting from one side of said wall, said spherical element adapted to be moved to one end of said elongated opening and thereafter forced inwardly of said side g 19 l 20 of said wall to move said one contact from its normal relation with the other thereof, a mem- FEFEBENCES CITED her for so moving said element, and said element references are of ecord 1n the thereafter adapted as the trailing edge of said file of thls patent: member moves across the high point of the ele- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS ment to rapidly move from under said memloer Number Name v Date to the other extreme of sald elongated opemng r t 1 t t f b t 11 2,184,611 Cobbett Dec. 26, 1939 g 2 Base Sal 55 an a .3 2,429,449 Buchanan et a1. Oct. 21, 1947 s an aneous re urn o norma re a 10m w1 sai 2,466914- sampsel Apn 1949 other contact.

EDWIN G. GAYNOR. 2,488,778 Meuer V NOV. 22 1949. 

